The rotary engines, also known as the Wankel engine, is a type of internal combustion engine that uses a rotary design to convert pressure into a rotating motion instead of using reciprocating pistons. Its four-stroke cycle occurs between the inside of an epitrochoid-shaped housing that is oval in shape and a rotor that resembles a Reuleaux triangle but with sides that are somewhat flatter. This design uses a small, light engine to produce steady power at high rpms. Here are six of the best cars ever built with rotary engines:
1. Mazda RX-7
The Mazda RX-7 is a the front-engine, rear-wheel-force sports activities automobile that became manufactured and advertised with the aid of Mazda from 1978 until 2002. It’s recognised for its specific rotary engine, especially the compact, lightweight Wankel rotary engine. The RX-7 was produced throughout 3 generations. The first technology, frequently referred to as the SA and FB, was a -seater hatchback coupé proposing a 12A carbureted rotary engine.
The second generation, referred to as the FC, provided a 2 2 choice and a convertible frame style, powered by the 13B rotary engine. The 1/3 and very last generation, the FD, featured a sequentially-turbocharged 13B REW engine. Over its lifetime, greater than 800,000 RX-7s had been manufactured. Today, the RX-7 is taken into consideration a conventional and is enormously renowned by means of car enthusiasts.
2. Mazda RX-8
The Mazda RX-8 is a sports activities vehicle that turned into manufactured by the Japanese car producer Mazda from 2003 to 2012. It become first showcased in 2001 at the North American International Auto Show. The RX-eight is the direct successor to the RX-7 and, like its predecessors within the RX range, it’s miles powered by using a rotary Wankel engine.
The engine uses a triangular rotor inner a near oval housing, generating from 141 kW (189 hp) and 164 lb⋅feet (222 N⋅m) of torque, to 177 kW (237 hp) and 159 lb⋅ft (216 N⋅m) of torque. The RX-8 changed into discontinued in 2012 without a successor. It become eliminated in advance from the European market in 2010 after the automobile did not meet emissions standards. Despite its discontinuation, the RX-eight remains a unique and exceptional car that needs to be pushed difficult.
3. Mazda Cosmo
The Mazda Cosmo is a extraordinary car produced by Mazda from 1967 to 1995. It served as a “halo” vehicle for Mazda, showcasing the employer’s modern Wankel rotary engine. The Cosmo underwent several changes throughout its production existence, starting as a sports activities car and later turning into a mid-length automobile and grand tourer. The first Cosmo, known as the 110S on export fashions, became one of the first production automobiles to characteristic a 2-rotor Wankel engine.
The very last technology, sold because the Eunos Cosmo through Mazda’s luxury Eunos department in Japan, became the arena’s first mass-manufacturing automobile ready with a three-rotor rotary engine and a sequential twin turbocharger. The name “Cosmo” reflects the worldwide cultural fascination with the Space Race, symbolizing Mazda’s ahead-thinking approach and consciousness on future developments and technology
4. NSU Ro 80
The NSU Ro eighty turned into a 4-door, the front-engine government sedan manufactured and marketed by means of the West German organization NSU from 1967 till 1977. It was cited for its revolutionary, aerodynamic styling via Claus Luthe and a technologically advanced powertrain. The Ro 80 featured a eighty four kW (113 bhp), 995 cc dual-rotor Wankel engine driving the the front wheels thru a semi-automated transmission with an revolutionary vacuum-operated take hold of device.
The vehicle was voted Car of the Year for 1968 and 37,398 devices have been manufactured over a 10-year manufacturing run. Other technological capabilities of the Ro 80 blanketed 4-wheel ATE Dunlop disc brakes, unbiased suspension on all 4 wheels, and strength-assisted ZF rack and pinion steering.
5. Citroën GS Birotor
The Citroën GS Birotor, also called the Citroën GZ, is a highly-priced model of the Citroën GS, equipped with a unique feature – a Wankel birotor engine. This engine, produced by means of the joint NSU-Citroën Comotor task, introduced a easy electricity output of 79 kW (106 hp), complementing the pricey ride great of the hydropneumatic suspension.
Launched in September 1973 on the Frankfurt Motor Show, the GS Birotor turned into an outstanding vehicle with functions like hydropneumatic suspension, all-spherical disc brakes, semi-computerized transmission, and a water-cooled, dual rotor engine. However, because of monetary problems and the selection to cut back at the Wankel venture, most effective 847 examples have been bought between March 1974 and January 1975. This makes the GS Birotor an extraordinary and fascinating piece of automobile records.
6. Chevrolet Aerovette
The Chevrolet Aerovette was a concept car created with the aid of Chevrolet, at the beginning known as Experimental Project 882 (XP-882) inside the late Nineteen Sixties. It featured a mid-engine configuration with a transverse mounting of its V8 engine. The Aerovette began life with a 4-rotor Wankel engine, but because of the power disaster of the time, GM scrapped its rotary development work.
The 400 cu in (6.6 liter) Chevrolet V8 engine replaced the 4-rotor engine in 1976, and the concept vehicle was given the moniker Aerovette and authorized for production. production for 1980. However, the Aerovette program became in the end canceled due to a selection of things, which include bad income of contemporary imported rear mid-engine vehicles within the United States. Despite its cancellation, the Aerovette remains a huge part of Chevrolet’s records.
In conclusion,
The rotary engine’s unique characteristics have made it a favorite among enthusiasts and have led to its use in a number of memorable cars. Despite its decline in use, the rotary engine has left an indelible mark on the history of the automobile.
FAQs About Best Cars Ever Built With Rotary Engines
- What is a rotary engine? A rotary engine, also known as the Wankel engine, is a type of internal combustion engine that uses a rotary design to convert pressure into a rotating motion instead of using reciprocating pistons.
- How does a rotary engine work? The rotary engine carries out the same process as a combustion engine but with a fraction of the components. There are no valves, no timing gears, no con-rods, no pistons, no crankshaft, and only three main moving parts compared to the myriad of parts involved in making a ‘normal’ engine work.
- What is the rotor in a rotary engine? The rotor, also known as the heart of the rotary engine, is a triangular-shaped piece that rotates within the housing. Its rotation produces three distinct chambers inside the housing, each with a variable size. This allows for a continuous cycle of intake, compression, combustion, and exhaust.
- Are rotary engines efficient? Rotary engines do not burn fuel as efficiently as piston-driven engines. By permitting pockets of unburned fuel to escape the housing, the internal workings of the rotary engine demonstrate poor thermal combustion behaviors during the circular movements. This unused fuel is eliminated from the system through the exhaust.
- What cars use rotary engines? Some of the most well-known cars that have used rotary engines include the Mazda RX-7, Mazda RX-8, Mazda Cosmo, NSU Ro 80, Citroën GS Birotor, and Chevrolet Corvette.